The Imperfection of the Creature, Part 2 · Sermon 5
SERMON V.
PSALM CXIX. 96.
I have seen an End of all Perfection; but thy Commandment is exceeding broad.
THERE have been two Doctrines proposed to be spoken to from these Words, namely,
Doc. I. The Perfection of the Creature is limited, and finite.
Doc. II. The Commandment of GOD is exceeding broad.
The last Opportunity I made some Entrance upon the Second of these Doctrines; and having observed, that, by the Commandment, I understand, the whole revealed Will of GOD, I proposed to shew the Excellency thereof, beyond any Thing that is to be found upon the Creature, by considering,
I. The Original of it.
II. The Subject Matter of it.
III. The Extent of it objectively.
IV. The great End and Design of it.
And
V. Its Duration.
Under the first of these, viz.
I. The Original of the Commandment, I have considered our Bible, as containing a sure Revelation of the Mind of GOD; and this Mind of GOD, so made known to us, does not result, purely, from the divine Will and Pleasure, as the Existence of all Creatures does, but from the Perfections of the divine Nature, and therefore in this Regard, partakes of those divine Excellencies far above what is to be found upon any mere Creature. Under the Second Head, viz.
II. The Subject-Matter of the Commandment; I have considered the Excellency of it, as perfectly adjusted to the Divine Lawgiver, and to the obedient Subject; as being exactly suited to the Nature and Capacity of those that owe Obedience to it; and as it requires the whole of our Duty, both to GOD, and Man. Under the Third,
III. The Extent of the Commandment objectively, I have shewed its Excellency in that it reaches to every individual Person without Exception, and to our whole Nature, Body, and Spirit. And I proceed to the Consideration of the Fourth Head proposed, viz.
IV. The Commandment of GOD will appear exceeding broad, if we consider the great and glorious End and Design of it; what GOD intends it for, and what it is improvable unto. The great Excellency and Perfection of all Laws, and Commandments, are to be seen, chiefly, in the End which they aim at, and the direct Tendency, Influence, and Power, which they have for the Attainment of this End. Now, the divine Commandment aims at the highest, and noblest End, that possibly can be, namely, the Glory of GOD, and our best Good, both in this World, and in that which is to come, in Time, and throughout Eternity: this is what GOD designs it for, what it is improvable unto, and what it has a direct Tendency to promote.
I shall not, here, enter into a distinct Consideration of this great and noble End, the Glory of GOD, because I have already spoken something to it, under a former Head, and because this is ever answered, in the Accomplishment of the great Design respecting Man; the Purity, and Happiness of Mankind, being so closely connected to the Glory of GOD, that in what Way soever the First is brought about, by the same Means, and in the same Method, the divine Glory is also displayed, and made to shine forth in it's greatest Lustre. I shall therefore confine myself unto such Thoughts, as shew us the original Intention, and peculiar Adaptedness, of the divine Commandment, to perfect our Nature, and render us compleatly happy; wherein it infinitely transcends all the Excellency that is to be found upon the Creatures, which every Way fall short of this End; as I have already proved. And I shall take a View of the excellent Design of the divine Commandment, under these Three Heads,
1. To make us truly Wise.
2. To make us really Good.
3. To make us compleatly Happy.
1. One great End and Design of the divine Commandment is, to make us truly wise. The Commandment has a very great Influence upon the making of us wise for the Things of this World, and therefore may well be looked upon as excellent by us; because, as we value ourselves upon our Reason, which raises us above the Level of the Brute, so our Wisdom is the highest natural Exercise of our Reason, and is that which gives any Man the Preference to his Neighbours. That the divine Commandment is of this Advantage to us, is apparent, in that it tends to brighten our Understandings, and recover them from those Prejudices, with which our Lusts and Passions very much cloud, and darken the Mind; by which Means, it renders our Apprehensions, and Conceptions, of Things more clear, and distinct, that we may be enabled to see them in a better Light, and discern them more thorowly: Thus it enobles our rational Powers, and assists them to chuse out a right Way for us. For while the Word of GOD is, a Lamp unto our Feet, and a Light unto our Path, we shall not only take the more Heed to our Ways, and walk with Caution and Circumspection, and so be among the well-advised, with whom is Wisdom, but we shall have a more full and plain Discernment of the Path of Understanding, and clear Discovery of the Way, in the which we should go; and thus be assisted to act like rational, and prudent Creatures, who are not led blindfold, by Passions, and Prejudices, but, govern themselves by the Dictates of right Reason. Hence, when Moses had set the Law of GOD before the Children of Israel, said he, (u)Deut. iv. 6.Keep, therefore, and do them; for this is your Wisdom, and Understanding, in the Sight of the Nations, which shall hear all these Statutes, and say, surely this great Nation is a wise, and understanding People. This also made the Psalmist say, (w)Ps. cxix. 98, 99, 100.Thou, through thy Commandment, hast made me wiser than mine Enemies; for they are ever with me: I have more Understanding than all my Teachers; for thy Testimonies are my Meditation: I understand more than the Ancients; because I keep thy Precepts. Thus a due Regard to the Commandment will influence us to walk wisely, and surely, and help us to shun many Inconveniencies, which we should be apt, otherwise, to run ourselves into, through the Prevalency of our too eager Passions, and unbridled sensual Appetites.
But however; The great End of the divine Commandment is, to make us spiritually wise, which is the truest, and highest, Wisdom, and which, when all is done, will be found to be most serviceable unto us. We are therefore told, (x)Ps. cxi. 10.The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom; a good Understanding have all they that do his Commandment. For no Man begins to be truly wise, until, by the Fear of GOD prevailing in his Heart, he is influenced unto a conscientious Regard to the divine Commandment, the Path-way whereof is pleasant, and the End Peace. If thou beest wise, thou shall be wise for thy self, said Solomon (y)Prov. ix. 12.. This is true Wisdom, for a Man to be wise for himself, for his best Interest, and his latter End; and all Pretensions to Wisdom, short of this, is but acting for a wrong End, and to no good Purpose, the Folly of which will appear, in the Disappointment, and Confusion, which will be the certain Issue of it. For let a Man be ever so wise, in his Projections, and the Methods which he takes, to promote some little Interest, that has no Relation to him, he will be found, to be but a Fool, in the Conclusion, for his Neglect of himself, and suffering his main Interest to run to Ruin, for want of his seasonable, and prudent, Care about it: or, let him provide, for his present Comfort, with the finest Schemes, and most diligent Application, yet, if he has been wholly negligent of Futurity, and must remain, the latter Part of his Existence, utterly destitute of every thing that would be comfortable to him, he will find, at his End, that he has been a Fool. Now, the Design of the divine Commandment is, to correct this Folly; and it has a very powerful Influence to cure us hereof, by acquainting us, where our true Interest lies, and what are the best Methods to promote it; by making us considerate, and thoughtful, about our own State and Condition, and how it will fare with us in the End of Days; and by exciting of us dilligently to improve the Means, that are necessary to secure what is of the greatest Consequence to us, that it may not only be well with us for the present, but that our latter End may be Peace. The Commandment is therefore said, to be pure, enlightening the Eyes, (z)Ps. xix. 7.That is, the Eyes of the Mind, which are naturally o…red, and clouded, by the thick Mists, which our Fondness for Lust, and the World, cast before them, so that they have no clear, and distinct, Perception of our ultimate End, and the Way to it. The Commandment is a Lamp, and the Law is Light, and Reproofs of Instruction are the Way of Life; said the wise Man (a)Prov. vi. 23.because by these we are taught our Duty, and Interest, and are led in the Path of Life.
The divine Commandment affords us the Knowledge of spiritual and divine Things, which are the most excellent in their Nature, and most beneficial unto us. What is there so full, so lofty, so glorious, as the LORD our GOD is? Whose Nature infinitely transcends all the Objects of Sense, in true Excellency, and contains a Beauty, Reality, and Truth, in it, beyond all other Things that are knowable by us; and therefore so much the more enlarges our Minds, and elevates our Conceptions, in the Knowledge of Him: and inasmuch as this GOD is the Fountain of all Good, therefore also the Mind in Closing with him, by our practical Knowledge of Him, enjoys unspeakable Delight and Satisfaction in Him, and becomes secured of His Favour; and thus reaps the highest Benefit, from this most excellent Object, that our Nature is capable of. For by this Means, we have taken all the Care of ourselves that we can do, have established our main Interest upon a sure Foundation, and are provided with all that is necessary for our future Well-being, yea, throughout an endless Eternity: and this is true Wisdom, and Understanding, such Wisdom as is not to be attained unto, by the Force of our own Powers, but by the divine Commandment. For the natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD, for they are Foolishness unto him; neither can be know them, because they are spiritually discerned; how be it, we speak Wisdom, yet not the Wisdom of this World; but we speak the Wisdom of GOD in a Mystery:—but GOD hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit (b)1 Cor. ii. 6, 7, 10, 14.. They are the Things of GOD, his glorious Perfections, his deep Counsels, his merciful Designs, with all the Wonders of redeeming Love, and Grace, which lie very much out of the Reach of our natural Powers, but the Spirit of GOD hath revealed them unto us; and it is the Design of the divine Commandment, to acquaint us with those glorious Truths, and give us a just View of the things of our Peace, and so fill us with the Knowledge of his Will, in all spiritual Wisdom, and Understanding; and it has an happy Tendency, and Aptitude, so to impress our Minds with them, as that we may ourselves receive the Benefit of them.
Hence, it presents us with the melancholy Prospect of our own miserable State, and Condition, by Nature; how enslaved we are unto diverse Lusts, and Passions, captivated by Devils, included under Guilt, and liable unto Punishment, in this World, and the next, great, and endless; and shews us, what absolute Need there is of a Saviour, to deliver us from all of this Infelicity, and directs us unto JESUS CHRIST, the only Hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof.
Hence, it opens unto us the whole Method of Salvation by CHRIST, unfolds the Mysteries of our holy Religion to us, tells us what we must do to be saved, and offers divine Assistance to us, to enable us to walk in that Way which leadeth unto true Life and Happiness.
Hence, it sets before us, the strong and alluring Arguments, and most powerful Motives, fetched from the future, unseen, and eternal World; it presents us with the View of the Crown of unfading Glory, which awaits the humble and obedient Soul; and gives us a distant Sight of the Place of Torment, the inexpressible Pain, Horror, and Anguish, which is reserved as the endless Portion of the impenitent, and disobedient; and all to move us to act wisely, and walk safely.
Thus Life, and Immortality, is brought to Light, through the Gospel (c)2 Tim. i. 10.; and by this Means we come to know the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom he hath sent; and so are made wise unto Salvation (d)2 Tim. iii. 15.. This is the great End and Design of the divine Commandment, what GOD intends it for, and what, if it be not our own Fault, we may improve it to. This is the great Design of preaching the Word of GOD unto the World; as the Apostle tells us it was the End of his Ministry, and equally is of ours, (e)Act. xxvi. 18.to open Men's Eyes, and turn them from Darkness to Light: and hence, when it was prophesied of CHRIST, (f)Isa. xlii. 6, 7.I the Lord have called Thee in Righteousness, and will give Thee for a Covenant of the People, for a Light of the Gentiles, it is particularly taken Notice of, that one of the great Ends, and blessed Benefits, of that Designation, is to open the blind Eyes. And give me me Leave to add upon it, agreably to what our Saviour remarked, when he read the Lesson, out of Isaiah unto his Hearers, Oh! that, by our wise Improvement of it, it may be said of us, (g)Luke iv. 21.This Day is this Scripture fulfilled among us. Thus, the Commandment of God appears to be exceeding broad, in this noble and glorious Design of it, to make us truly wise; to furnish us with the Knowledge of the best Things, and direct our Feet in the Path of Understanding, to the securing of our Selves, and our great and lasting Interest; which is such a Wisdom as highly becometh us, as rational Creatures, and compared with which, all the Wisdom of this World is but meer Foolishness.
I now proceed, to the Second Thing proposed, namely,
2. The glorious End and Design of the divine Commandment is, to make us really Good. The infinitely wise GOD has given us his Commandment, not only to inform our Judgment, and make us wise to know, but, to regulate our Practice, that our Wisdom may evidence itself, by the proper genuine Fruits of it, in our Hearts, and Lives. For all our Knowledge will be but to our Disadvantage, and render us so much the more unhappy, if we are not careful to govern ourselves, in our Practice, according to it: and therefore the Commandment aims, at the rectifying of our Nature, and curing the Irregularities of our Behaviour, and so, to make us really good Men. When Mankind had universally sunk into Infidelity, and Immorality, and were utterly destitute of the divine Life, then it pleased GOD to make a Revelation of himself, and his Mind and Will unto the World, gradually opening the Mysteries of the Kingdom of GOD, from the calling of Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, until, in the Fulness of Time, the Light shone with the greatest Clearness, by the Appearing of the SON of GOD in Flesh, to instruct the World, personally, and by his Apostles that Mankind might be recovered, in the Exercise of their Faith and Vertue, to a God-like Temper and Disposition: which abundantly shews the superiour Excellency of the divine Commandment. Thus, particularly, it aims, at the begetting in us Faith in GOD, and in his Son JESUS CHRIST, the converting of us from the Error of our Ways, and to sanctify, and make us holy.
(1) The Design of the divine Commandment is, to work true Faith in us; that we may live a Life of Faith in GOD, and in his Son JESUS CHRIST. Faith in GOD, as the Maker, Ruler, and Judge, of the World, and in his Son, JESUS CHRIST, as the only Redeemer of lost Mankind, and ours in particular, is the very Root and Principle, of all Evangelical Goodness; without which, we can neither serve GOD, nor find Acceptance with him. The Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews therefore assures us, (a)Heb. xi. 6.without Faith it is impossible to please GOD; for he that cometh unto GOD, (so as to find Acceptance with him,) must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And CHRIST said to his Disciples, and so to all that mean to receive any Benefit by him, (b)Joh. xiv. 1.Ye believe in GOD, believe also in ME. For he that does not believe that there is a GOD, and that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of GOD, and Saviour of the World, cannot possibly live religiously; because all Religion turns upon the Belief of a GOD, and That Religion only, which is acceptable and pleasing to GOD, is founded in the Belief of JESUS CHRIST his being the promised Messiah, the Son of GOD, and Saviour of the World; this being the only Way in which GOD hath revealed Himself unto the World, and in which he will be worshiped, namely, by his Son, JESUS CHRIST; which occasioned the Apostle's saying (c)Joh. xx. 31.These Things are written, that ye might believe that JESUS is the CHRIST, the Son of GOD.
Whatever Difficulties any may imagine they find in believing JESUS CHRIST to be the Son of GOD, in such a proper Sense of the Phrase as imports his partaking of the same Nature with the eternal Father, because they cannot comprehend the Manner of the divine Filiation, it is justly to be feared that the great Bar which lies in their Way is, the Haughtiness, and Pride, of the Hearts of Men, who cannot stoop to resign up their Understandings to the divine Mind, as they must do, to credit a Report which contains Mysteries in it which they are not able to unriddle; and that therefore it is they refuse to believe what they cannot see through. For, after all, there is no such Absurdity in believing Mysteries, or, believing such Doctrines as contain Mysteries in them, as some Men would perswade us; because we are even forced to do so, in Nature, and in Arts, whether we will or no. And, truly, I know of no more Difficulty, in believing the Truth of a Proposition, clearly, and distinctly, expressed, (that is, in such plain Terms as I fully understand,) when it is handed to me by divine Revelation, (which Proposition, nevertheless, contains a Doctrine that couches Mysteries in it, which I do not understand) than there is in believing a clear Proposition, concerning any Thing in Nature, handed to me by my Fellow Creature, when yet the Subject of that Proposition, or the Thing spoken of, contains such Mysteries in it, as neither I, nor any Man living, are able to explain. As, for Instance, all Bodies are endowed with a Power of Gravitation: or, if you desire a more familiar one, The Sun gives Light.
Now, this is what the divine Commandment aims at, to produce this Faith in us, in GOD, and CHRIST, as the vital Principle of all spiritual Life, and the Spring of all our acceptable Obedience. Hence it declares to us the Being, Perfections, Works, Dominion, and Will of GOD: Hence it sets JESUS CHRIST before us, in all his amiable Excellencies, and altogether lovely, in the high Concern he has expressed for our Welfare, and the wonderful Methods he has taken to manifest his prevailing Love to us; it shews him to us, in all the Charms, and Endearments, of a GOD incarnate, wounded for our Transgressions, bruised for our Iniquities, and as having freely laid down his Life for us miserable Sinners. Hence the Commandment so often urges this upon us, as our indispensible Duty, that we believe in JESUS CHRIST, (d)1 Joh. iii. 23.This is his Commandment, that ye believe on the Name of his Son JESUS CHRIST. Hence it uses the most powerful Motives, the weightiest Considerations, to accomplish a Work of Faith in us. It gives us the fullest Evidence, the most incontestible Testimony, of the Truth of the whole Gospel of CHRIST, and his own Mission from the Father, as confirmed unto us by them that heard Him, (assert his Mission, and deliver his Doctrines) GOD also bearing them Witness, both with Signs, and Wonders, with diverse Miracles, and Gifts of the Holy Ghost (e)Heb. ii. 3, 4.. So that there is no Room for us reasonably to doubt the Certainty of his Mission from GOD, or, consequently, to suspect the Truth of the Doctrines, and Precepts, which he has taught. It gives us full Proof of JESUS CHRIST his being the ancient promised Messiah, the Son of GOD, the Prince of Peace, in the exact Agreement of all the Characteristicks, spoken of in the old Testament, unto him, and him only; as, the Time of his appearing in the World, the Circumstances of his Appearance, the Description of his Person, by the particular Events befalling him, the Contempt that should be poured upon him, the Death he should submit to, his Triumphs over the Grave, the Extent, and Glory, of his Kingdom; these, with many other Predictions concerning him, having their exact Accomplishment in JESUS CHRIST, and in him only, are an unquestionable Evidence of his being the true Messiah. And if CHRIST be the true Messiah, and sent from GOD, we may be sure he has told us the Truth, however sublime, and exceeding our Comprehension, the Doctrines he has taught us may be. Because GOD, who perfectly knows all things, would send none upon his Errand, and under the Character of HIS SON, especially, in so important an Affair, wherein his own Glory, and the Happiness of Mankind, are so nearly concerned, but such an One as would keep exactly to his Instructions, and publish the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. And all of this full, and clear Evidence, which the Word of GOD affords us, of the Messiaship, and Mission, of CHRIST is, to prevail upon us to credit the Report of the Gospel, and submit ourselves unto the Government of it.
In short; without the Commandment, or revealed Will, of GOD, there can be nothing of this Faith, which is so necessary to the religious and Christian Life; and consequently, the Life of Man, here, would be little better than that of the Brutes, and his Condition, hereafter, that of Devils: for, as the Apostle well argues, (f)Rom. x. 14, 17.how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher?—So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD: which clearly evidences it to be the Design of the Commandment, to beget Faith in us, that we may not remain in Infidelity, and Unbelief of GOD, and his Son JESUS CHRIST, and so be destitute of the first moving Principle of all real Goodness. Hence also, the same Apostle elsewhere observes, (g)2 Cor. iv. 3.if our Gospel be bid, it is hid unto them that are lost: because they are destitute of the ordinary, and proper Means, appointed by GOD, by which a true and saving Faith is wrought in them. How far the Faith of the one supream GOD, resulting from the Works of his Hands, with a correspondent Care to please him, according to a Man's natural Light, may avail to Acceptance with him, through the Meditation of his Son, we are not able positively to determine; but we are led by Revelation to suspend all Hope concerning such, as well as from the general View of the World; the wise Man assuring us, where there is no Vision the People perish *Prov. xxix. 18..
(2.) The Design of the Divine Commandment is to convert the Soul. The omnipotent, and wise Creator made all his Creatures Good, and therefore Man, a moral Agent, morally Good; for it was impossible that his Creator should make him vicious, without being himself either weak, or depraved, both of which are Blasphemies of too high a Degree to be imputed to the infinitely Great, and Holy GOD. But though GOD, at first, made Man morally good, and free from all irregular Appetites, and Passions, yet he made him capable of being invaded by them, and brought into Subjection to them: And accordingly, we see that humane Nature, which once had the beautiful Image of GOD shining full upon it in Knowledge, Righteousness, and Holiness, now greatly stained and polluted; so that it may be said of all Men, whether Jew, or Gentile, as the Apostle speaks, (h)Rom. iii. 23.All have sinned, and come short of the Glory of GOD. The first Sin, of the first Man, was what we call the Fall, the Fall of the humane Nature from its GOD, and Happiness. I know there are some who admit of the Fall of the first Man, according to the Account we have thereof, in the Beginning of our Bibles, but imagine, and I think vainly, that all the Hurt done to the humane Nature thereby is, that the Body hath received some Damage, is weakened, and become liable to Mortality. But I should look upon it as much more agreeable to Reason, as well as Revelation, that the Soul, or Mind, the chief Agent in Sinning, should be the chief Sufferer, in the Effects of it; and, as one Act of Sin hath turned Angels into Devils, so the Sin of the first Man hath brought an universal Disorder upon the whole humane Nature. By this Fall from GOD, the Man has fallen from his Perfection, and greatly enfeebled, and debased his Nature, and brought a Stain and Blemish upon it, by his Soul's being sunk under the Power of corrupt, and vain Affections, and Lusts; by which Means, he has lost the Image of his Maker, which was at first put upon him, and has contracted the Likeness of the impute, the false, the malicious, and revengeful Spirit; and so is become unfit, both, for the Service of the pure and holy GOD, and the Enjoyment of him, until there is a blessed Change wrought in him, translating of him, out of the Kingdom of Satan, into the Kingdom of GOD's dear Son.
For, that Heart which is naturally full of Sin, and Enmity against GOD, and wholly bent to transgress his holy Law, must be first altered, changed, renewed, by the Workmanship of the divine Spirit upon it, before it can possibly be in a State of Friendship with GOD, or take Delight in doing his Will; the Tree must be made Good, that the Fruit may be Good: And therefore it is we are told, They that are in the Flesh, cannot please GOD (h)Rom. viii. 8.; and, Except ye be converted, ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.(i)Matth. xviii. 3.
Now the great End and Design of the divine Commandment is, to accomplish this beautiful, and glorious Change in the Soul of a Sinner, to recover him from the Empire of Sin, and Satan, over him, to free him from the Dominion of his sordid Lusts, and Passions, and vindicate him into the Liberties of the Sons of GOD, that is, to make a new Creature of him, and restore him to that Perfection, and Integrity, which he lost. The Psalmist therefore takes Notice of this, as the End of the Commandment, and what stamps a peculiar Excellency upon it; ‖Psal. xix. 7.The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the Soul.
This convinces the Sinner that he is so, and shews him the vile, and odious, Nature of Sin, and what a mean and despicable Creature it renders him, preposterous in his Views, irrational in his Actions, a Slave to more than brutish Appetites, ever acting below himself, ever hurting and wounding himself, and bringing Reproach, and Shame, upon himself; of all which, until he has a thorow Sight and Sense, and feels something of the Smart and Pain, in the Uneasiness of his Mind, at his Condition, he is never like to be a true Convert. The first Thing in Conversion is, to bring the Sinner to a suitable Conviction of his present wretched, miserable, Condition, by Reason of Sin. For the Whole need not a Physician, but they that are sick (k)Matth. ix. 12.. While a Man thinketh himself to be whole, be he ever so sick, he is not apprehensive of his Danger, and therefore is at no Pains to seek out for Help; but when once he comes so much to himself, as, to feel himself sick, then a Physician will be welcome to him, and he will be in earnest in seeking Help from him, and in following his Directions, in Hope of a Cure. So the Soul must first feel, perceive, and be thorowly sensible, of its own sick, and dangerous, Condition; that is, it must be thorowly convinced of its own Sinfulness, and the infinite Evil of Sin, that the Wrath of GOD cometh upon the Children of Disobedience; that is, it must see it self dead, and damned, in the Eye of the Law, by Reason of Sin, before it will look to CHRIST for Help, or take any Pains to alter its present Temper and Course. And this Conviction 'tis the Design of the divine Commandment to bring the Sinner to.
Therefore you find the holy Apostle Paul, from his own Experience, assuring of us, (k)Rom. vii. 9.That he was alive without the Law once; that is, in his own Apprehension, all was well with him, so stupidly ignorant was he of the Disorders of his own Heart, and insensible of the Irregularity of his Actions, and what all would end in, as that he knew nothing amiss in himself, and feared no Danger: But (says he) when the Commandment came, Sin revived, and I died: That is, when the exceeding broad Commandment was brought home to him, and appeared in its true Light, and full Extent, then he saw the Life and Power of Sin in him, and what a base and unreasonable Part he had been acting all his Life long, in transgressing that holy and good Commandment; and he saw what was the Fruit, and Wages, of Sin, that it exposed him to the Wrath and Curse of Almighty GOD; and this was a full Conviction to him, that he needed a Change both, in the Temper of his Mind, and in his State, otherwise he was a dead Man, dead in Trespasses and Sins, and under a Sentence of Condemnation, as the just Punishment of all his Folly.
Besides; the Commandment means not only, to give us a Sight of our Weakness, and Disorder, but, effectually to recover us from under the Power of them; to convince us of our Sin, and subdue it in us, to break us off from our Love to, and Delight in, Vanity, and convert us from the Error of our Ways. Therefore it publishes to us what is the positive Will and Pleasure of our high Sovereign, that we may know what our Lord and Master requires of us; that GOD hath commanded all Men every where now to repent (l)Acts xvii. 30.; cast away from you all your Transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed, and make you a new Heart, and a new Spirit (m)Ezek. xviii. 31.: And again, Wash ye, make you clean, put away the Evil of your Doings, from before mine Eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well. (n)Isa. i. 16, 17.Thus does the divine Commandment positively enjoin Repentance, and Renovation of Heart, and Life, upon us: And, that it might carry the greater Force with it, and work us into a Compliance with what it demands of us, it presses our Duty upon us with the most moving Considerations, with the Hopes of Pardon, and Mercy, from a gracious GOD, if we sincerely repent, and turn, from our evil Ways; (o)Isa. lv. 7.Let the Wicked forsake his Way, and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have Mercy on him, and to our GOD, for he will abundantly pardon: And it threatens the most terrible Punishment, the most amazing Misery, in Case we refuse to hearken to the Demand, and chuse to go on in our Sins; (p)Rom. ii. 6, 9.That GOD will render Indignation, and Wrath, Tribulation, and Anguish, to every Soul of Man that doth Evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. And that the Threatning might not lose its Force, by our vainly imagining, that a good GOD will not be so severe upon us, but will be better to us than his Word, he has let us know what he has already done unto sinning Angels, though a more noble Order of Beings than our selves: That He hath reserved them, in everlasting Chains, under Darkness, unto the Judgment of the great Day.(q)Jude ver. 6.
Yea further; Through the Assistance of the divine Spirit, the Commandment becomes effectual for the Conversion of the Sinner. Accordingly, the Apostle says, (r)2 Cor. x. 4.The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through GOD, to the pulling down of strong Holds, casting down Imaginations, and every high Thing that exalteth it self against the Knowledge of GOD, and bringing into Captivity, every Thought, to the Obedience of Christ. And when GOD gives Men up to reprobate Minds, that the Word shall have no Power upon them to convert them, it is by making their Hearts fat, and their Ears heavy, and by shutting their Eyes, lest they see with their Eyes, and hear with their Ears, and should understand with their Hearts, and should be converted.(s)Isa. vi. 10.
And GOD has been pleased to honour his own Commandment, by making use of the preaching of the Word, as the ordinary Means by which Sinners have been converted; which made the Apostle say, (t)Rom. i. 16.I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST; for it is the Power of GOD unto Salvation, unto every one that believeth. Thus by the Preaching of Peter, and the other Apostles, at Pentecost, (u)Act. ii. 37, 41.about three Thousand were pricked at the Heart, and said, Men, and Brethren, what shall we do? and they gladly received the Word, and were baptised. Thus also, by the preaching of Paul, (w)Act. xvi. 14.the Lord opened the Heart of Lydia: that is, she became a real Convert, whose Heart received the Word, and submitted to it. And this is ever the gracious Design of the Word, wherever it comes, to turn Men from Darkness, to Light, and from the Power of Satan, unto GOD, that they may be made really good Men. Wherefore,
(3.) The Design of the divine Commandment is, to sanctify us, and make us holy; to make us Partakers of the divine Nature, and influence us to live the divine Life. Whereby is given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises, that by these you might be Partakers of the divine Nature (x)2 Pet. i. 4.. Holiness is the Glory of the divine Nature; (y)Exod. xv. 11.GOD is glorious in Holiness. Holiness, in us, is our Conformity unto the Image of GOD, in Righteousness, Mercy, and Truth &c, and in our Love to all that is good, and Hatred of all that is evil, and this is to be perfect, as our Father, which is in Heaven, is perfect. This is that which the divine Commandment aims at, and what it has a direct Tendency to produce in us, It does not mean to convert us from Sin, and leave us in a State of Indifferency, or to make us only negatively holy, but it's Design is, to make us positively holy, in the Stamp, and Characters of the divine Likeness, renewed upon our Souls, and in our living in the Exercise of those Vertues, and Graces, which are required of us; that is, That we improve the Grace conferred upon us in our first Conversion, and make Progress in mortifying of our corrupt Part, and living more in Conformity unto the Will of GOD: and it is our own Fault, if we do not improve the Commandment so as to answer the good End which GOD aims at, in giving it unto us.
Hence it enjoyns Holiness upon us, in the general; (z)1 Pet. i. 15, 16.As he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all Manner of Conversation; because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy. And it directs us to the particular Vertues of which Holiness consists: That (a)Phil. iv. 8.whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things are honest, whatsoever Things are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely, whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if there be any Praise, think on these Things. (b)2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7.Add to your Faith, Vertue; and to Vertue, Knowledge; and to Knowledge, Temperance; and to Temperance, Patience; and to Patience, Godliness; and to Godliness, Brotherly-Kindness; and to Brotherly-Kindness, Charity.
Hence also, it sets before us, the excellent Example of the most holy Life of the blessed JESUS, his Piety, Devotion, and Reverence, to GOD; his Temperance, Patience, and Humility, in the Government of himself; and his Righteousness, Meekness, Benevolence, and Charity, in his Behaviour towards Man; and all to raise our Ambition, that we may go and do likewise: And it entertains us with the Lives of the Prophets, and Apostles, and other Men of GOD, who were subject unto like Passions with our selves, that we may learn to shun their Errors, and imitate their Excellencies, and so be Followers of them, who through Faith and Patience, inherit the Promises.
This is the natural Effect, and genuine Produce, of that Law which is itself holy, and requires Holiness of us; which has an holy GOD, for its Author, and leads to a holy JESUS. The Commandment shines full, and clear, with this beautiful Aspect upon it, Even our Sanctification, for this is the Will of GOD concerning us. (c)1 Thess. iv. 3.It tends to beget in us all the Graces of the Holy Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance. 'Tis the good Seed, which, sown in good Ground, springeth up, in the Fruits of Holiness, unto eternal Life. 'Tis the incorruptible and immortal Seed (d)1 Pet. i. 23., by which we are begotten again, unto GOD, and have the Disposition of our heavenly Father ruling in us, and his Image shining upon us. The Apostle James therefore says, (e)Jam. i. 18.Of his own Will begat he us, by his Word of Truth: And the Apostle Paul glories in his being instrumental, through GOD, by the preaching of the Gospel, for the Sanctification of the Corinthians, (f)1 Cor. iv. 15.Though you have ten Thousand Instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many Fathers; for, in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the Gospel. And to add no more, hence our blessed Saviour, in his devout Prayer for his Disciples, informs us, what is the End and Design of the Commandment, in that Petition, (g)Joh. xviii. 17.Sanctify them through thy Truth, thy Word is Truth.
This sufficiently shews us, that the noble Design of the divine Commandment is, the making of us good Men; and that the Goodness which it aims at, and accomplisheth in all the People of GOD, far surpasses all the Excellency and Goodness which the greatest meer Moralist could boast of. Though the Commandment of GOD strictly requires Morality, without which there can be no Likeness to GOD, nor Acceptance with him; yet this is not all that is expected from us; but there is something more in being a Christian. An Heathen may glory in his Morality; and, indeed, considering the mighty Disadvantages he labours under, a moral Heathen is a very great Attainment; but it is justly required of the Christian, who enjoys a clearer Light, stronger Motives, and a more powerful Assistance, that he be, and do, more than others (b)Matth. v. 47., who are not favoured with the like excellent Means; that he has more noble Principles to act and govern him, that he walks by a more exact Rule, and that he be possessed of more excellent Virtues, than ever lodged in the Breast of a meer Moralist: In short, that he has the Grace of GOD, a vital Principle of spiritual and divine Life produced in him, by the quickening and enlivening Influences of the divine Word, and Commandment, accompanied with the prevailing Operations of the Holy Spirit of GOD; and that is a more exalted and refined Vertue, and Goodness, than a Seneca, or a Plate, were ever Masters of.
Thus, under these two Heads, of making us wise, and good, I have endeavoured to shew you, that the divine Commandment is exceeding broad, and has such an Excellency and Perfection in it, as is not to be found in all the Creatures; for thus it becomes perfective of our Nature, renewing of us in Knowledge, and Righteousness, by regulating of our Powers, and curing the Disorders of our Souls, by recovering of us to a God-like Temper, and Behaviour, and rendering of us universally Beneficent; which blessed Privilege, under the first Doctrine, I shew'd you, the Creature was not able to convey to us.